Friends, this is important news for everyone who lives with pets, plans to get one, breeds, sells, or transports animals — especially if you live in Europe or cross borders with them.
The European Union has decided to seriously bring order to how cats and dogs are kept, sold, and transported. The need for clear, unified rules has been growing for years: different countries, different requirements, separate databases — and against this background, grey schemes, illegal trade, and uncontrolled breeding have flourished. Now, the situation is beginning to change.
The European Union has decided to seriously bring order to how cats and dogs are kept, sold, and transported. The need for clear, unified rules has been growing for years: different countries, different requirements, separate databases — and against this background, grey schemes, illegal trade, and uncontrolled breeding have flourished. Now, the situation is beginning to change.
This week in Brussels, the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture (AGRI) approved a draft Regulation on the welfare of cats and dogs. The title may sound technical, but in reality, it represents major systemic changes. For the first time in EU history, unified rules are being introduced covering microchipping, registration, breeding, sale, and even online advertisements for animals.
If you have ever bought a puppy online, transported a pet from another country, or tried to understand whether a breeder can be trusted, you have likely encountered confusion and a lack of transparency. The new regulation is designed precisely to put an end to this chaos.
If you have ever bought a puppy online, transported a pet from another country, or tried to understand whether a breeder can be trusted, you have likely encountered confusion and a lack of transparency. The new regulation is designed precisely to put an end to this chaos.
One of the key changes is mandatory microchipping across the entire EU. In many countries, microchipping has long been standard practice, but databases have remained fragmented. An animal could be registered in one country and effectively “disappear” in another. Under the new system, data will be integrated into a single EU-wide index, making it possible to trace an animal’s history during sale or transport. This means cats and dogs will no longer be lost in the system when moving between EU countries.
Rules for importing animals from outside the European Union are also changing. Previously, border checks often focused only on verifying the microchip and documents. Now, mandatory pre-registration will be introduced. The animal must be microchipped before entry, its data registered in the destination country’s database in advance (at least several days before arrival), and the actual entry must then be confirmed in the system. In practical terms, transporting a cat or dog, for example from Belarus or Ukraine to Poland, will no longer be a last-minute formality — everything must be arranged beforehand.
Rules for importing animals from outside the European Union are also changing. Previously, border checks often focused only on verifying the microchip and documents. Now, mandatory pre-registration will be introduced. The animal must be microchipped before entry, its data registered in the destination country’s database in advance (at least several days before arrival), and the actual entry must then be confirmed in the system. In practical terms, transporting a cat or dog, for example from Belarus or Ukraine to Poland, will no longer be a last-minute formality — everything must be arranged beforehand.
Another crucial change concerns the age of puppies and kittens. Across the EU, it will be prohibited to transfer animals younger than eight weeks. Previously, such rules existed only in some countries, and advertisements offering six-week-old puppies were common. These offers will now be illegal, and online platforms will be required to block them. Exceptions will be allowed only for veterinary reasons.
The rules for online advertisements are also being significantly tightened. Until now, virtually anyone could sell an animal — without a microchip, without registration, and sometimes without even being the actual owner. The new regulation puts an end to this. An advertisement may only be posted once the animal has been microchipped and officially registered in a database. In addition, websites will be required to display clear warnings that an animal is not a product, but a responsibility.
The rules for online advertisements are also being significantly tightened. Until now, virtually anyone could sell an animal — without a microchip, without registration, and sometimes without even being the actual owner. The new regulation puts an end to this. An advertisement may only be posted once the animal has been microchipped and officially registered in a database. In addition, websites will be required to display clear warnings that an animal is not a product, but a responsibility.
The strictest — and most anticipated — changes concern breeding. The regulation introduces a direct ban on breeding between close relatives, as well as on breeding animals with anatomical or genetic traits that cause chronic suffering. This includes severe breathing problems, spinal deformities, recurring eye injuries, and other conditions where the animal suffers due to its physical characteristics. The EU does not ban specific breeds, but it will control extreme forms. Breeds with short muzzles, for example, will not disappear, but only healthy individuals that can breathe normally, do not overheat, and do not require surgical intervention to live normally will be allowed for breeding. Limits on the number of litters and mandatory intervals between pregnancies will also be introduced.
At the same time, the regulation does not aim to treat ordinary pet owners with an occasional “home” litter as commercial breeders. If a dog has no more than one litter within 18 months and no profit is made, the new rules do not apply. However, if litters become regular, advertisements are posted, and income is generated, the owner is considered a small-scale breeder and must comply with the established requirements.
At present, the regulation has been approved by the relevant parliamentary committee. In July, it will be considered by the European Parliament, after which negotiations with the Council of the EU will begin. The final text is expected to be adopted by the end of 2025, followed by phased implementation.
At present, the regulation has been approved by the relevant parliamentary committee. In July, it will be considered by the European Parliament, after which negotiations with the Council of the EU will begin. The final text is expected to be adopted by the end of 2025, followed by phased implementation.
What can be done already? Check whether your pets are microchipped and properly registered. If you are planning transport, start familiarising yourself with pre-registration requirements. If you post advertisements, prepare for mandatory linkage to a microchip and registration. And if you are involved in breeding, it may be time to move towards a fully transparent and lawful model.
At Anilogistic, we continue to closely monitor developments and will prepare detailed guides, instructions, and practical explanations. Follow our newsletters and social media — and remember: genuine care for animals always begins with honesty and responsibility.
At Anilogistic, we continue to closely monitor developments and will prepare detailed guides, instructions, and practical explanations. Follow our newsletters and social media — and remember: genuine care for animals always begins with honesty and responsibility.